Department of Agriculture of Ministry of State Property as a Structural Element of Russian State Administration in 1837-1855

The issue of the formation of one of the central agricultural management bodies of the Russian Empire - the Department of Agriculture is studied. The relevance of the work is due to the need to improve the mechanism of public administration at the present stage. Based on the opinions of contemporaries, the author shows the features of the organization of the internal work of the Department of Agriculture. Particular attention is paid to the activities of the Minister of State Property P. D. Kiselev and directors of the department I. F. Dellingshausen, E. F. von Bradke and A. I. Levshin. The novelty of the study is seen in the fact that the author reveals and clarifies previously unknown aspects of the functioning of the Department of Agriculture. New data from archival sources are introduced into scientific circulation. It is proved that the preparation of the abolition of serfdom played an important role in the establishment of the Department of Agriculture. The features of formation are revealed and the main directions of activity of the Department of Agriculture are shown. The results of a comparative analysis of the number and financial situation of officials of the Departments of Agriculture and forestry are presented. The specifics of the service of officials of the Department of Agriculture in the specified historical period are characterized.